A Charming Lakeside House Made Entirely Of Wood

It’s not a big structure but it’s beautiful and it blend in wonderfully with the gorgeous landscape on this region from Nova Scotia, in Canada. The climate out here is quite harsh but the view of the lake is absolutely wonderful. There’s also lots of vegetation all around the house which makes it feel perfectly at home.

The house has a simple and modern design with an asymmetric, slanted roof
The house has a simple and modern design with an asymmetric, slanted roof

It was designed and built by Peter Braithwaite Studio and  it has a footprint of only 1000 square feet which is a bit over 90 square meters. As we mentioned earlier, it’s not a big house but it looks and feels very open, airy and spacious on the inside. 

The living area has big windows facing the lake
The living area has big windows facing the lake

The trick to compensating for the small footprint was to put an emphasis on the natural light, the views and the minimalism of the interior design. The floor plan is organized into an open living area at the center and two bedroom framing it on the sides. From the exterior you can tell which section is which by the orientation of the cladding. There’s a mix of vertical and horizontal wood cladding that adds a layer of complexity to the otherwise simple design. Also, the whole structure and the roof are made entirely out of wood as is tradition in this region. 

The trees and vegetation surround the site, making the house feel at home
The trees and vegetation surround the site, making the house feel at home
The house has a wall of windows facing the East and the beautiful lake
The house has a wall of windows facing the East and the beautiful lake

Step inside this beautiful house and you’re greeted with very bright and luminous decor. The living area has an entire wall of windows which is facing East and frames views of the lake. These let the sunlight into the living areas in the morning which fills the space with energy. In the afternoon the light comes in through the clerestory windows which are facing West. All the interior spaces are linked through a hallway which runs the full length of the house. It’s an efficient way to organize the interior and to keep the design simple and compact. 

The large windows flood the living area with light in the morning, creating a whimsical ambiance
The large windows flood the living area with light in the morning, creating a whimsical ambiance
The lake provides a wonderful view for the house and turns it into a serene and tranquil retreat
The lake provides a wonderful view for the house and turns it into a serene and tranquil retreat
The dining table is positioned close to the windows to take full advantage of the view
The dining table is positioned close to the windows to take full advantage of the view
The two bedrooms are positioned on either side of the living areas
The two bedrooms are positioned on either side of the living areas
As a whole, the interior is very minimal which allows the focus to be on the outside
As a whole, the interior is very minimal which allows the focus to be on the outside